Allow music in venues

I am writing to ask you to meet with representatives of the Night-Time Industries Association Scotland (NTIAS) and to use any possible parliamentary opportunities at your disposal to highlight to the Scottish Government the ‘Financial Armageddon’ the industry is facing as a result of COVID-19.

The results of a recent survey of NTIAS members demonstrate the severity of the crisis. They show that 62% of businesses within Scotland’s night-time economy fear they will not survive longer than two months without further Government support. Further, 75% of Scottish businesses will also make over 50% of their employees redundant in a matter of weeks. This will have a significant impact on unemployment, with the night-time industry providing jobs for more than 75,000 people in Scotland.

I understand that industry leaders have produced a strategy for reopening with input from the Institute of Occupational Medicine. This strategy is science-led and evidence-based and lays out how nightclubs, events and late-night venues can open in a way that is no less safe, and in some cases considerably more safe, than other industries that have already been given the ‘green-light’ to open. It is my view that reopening venues in the way set out in the strategy would be a much better outlet for the obvious and continuing demand for late night entertainment than the increasing number of illegal raves, which are exploiting people as safe and properly regulated spaces remain closed.

I would be grateful if you might feel able to meet with representatives of the Night Time Industries Association Scotland. In particular, I ask you to raise the matter with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism, Fergus Ewing MSP, and the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, Fiona Hyslop MSP.

To agree to a meeting with the NTIAS or to secure more information relating to the impact of COVID-19 on the night-time economy, including a range of useful template letters, press releases and social media collateral please email contact@ntia.co.uk.

Why the contribution is important


Permitting well run and legally compliant venues to reopen safely will lessen the demand for unsafe and/or illegal gatherings in houses and unlicensed venues both indoors and outdoors and will allow for greater compliance with public health measures and ultimately much safer hospitality.

by emmat453 on October 05, 2020 at 04:04PM

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Based on: 50 votes

Comments

  • Posted by wgashi October 05, 2020 at 18:25

    FM stated weeks ago when the ban was put in place that they were looking into allowing a certain decibel, we are now weeks down the line with no advancement, the lack of background music is leading to customers leaning really closely together so their conversations are not overhead, surely this is more dangerous.

  • Posted by Avocado October 06, 2020 at 06:42

    I think encouraging more households than just 2 to meet out at hospitality settings would also support local businesses and stop people meeting in households. I don’t really go out to pubs but would if it meant I could meet a couple of friends at the same time!

  • Posted by Masson92 October 06, 2020 at 09:33

    Allowing even background music in venues such as bars, beer gardens and music venues will not only decrease gatherings in non-controlled private areas (House parties) but provide a much needed life line to freelance event workers such as DJs, AV hire companies and more.

  • Posted by Chrismac October 06, 2020 at 09:38

    I think this needs to go a step further and bring back live small music to venues, not to already packed pubs
    Three tests
    1) Have you downloaded the Protect Scotland App.
    2) Provide Temperature tests at the door
    3) Everyone in attendance must provide mobile numbers at time of ticket purchase and on the door.

    Further steps could be taken.
    1) Masks to be worn in venues
    2) Limit attendances but no so much that it makes businesses unviable.
    3) Stagger closing times so they are different to pubs say 10:30pm.
    4) Don't encourage pub crawling so if you turn up to a gig drunk you won't get in.

    Do all this, explain it to regualr gig going attendees and trust me they will be great full and obey all the rules and more importantly take care of one another.

  • Posted by netherlee October 06, 2020 at 20:13

    I love no background music in eateries and bars, finally you can hear each other, and the damage to peoples hearing is being limited. As an older person whose hearing has been damaged by years of loud noise, the quality of my life has been enhanced since the ban. If you want to go to a live music venue fair enough, but many of us are force fed background music that makes conversation impossible.

  • Posted by slimbofat October 07, 2020 at 12:00

    This rule makes no sense and risks convoluting more important messages - it has to go!
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